Russia hits corn ship with Indian, Syrian crew near Odesa, 10 killed

A Russian missile strike on a cargo ship carrying corn near Ukraine's southern port of Odesa killed 10 people, Ukrainian officials said on Monday, marking the deadliest attack on a commercial vessel in the Black Sea in recent weeks, Reuters reported.

According to the report, the vessel, Golden Leo, was hit by three Russian cruise missiles on Sunday while sailing near Odesa. The Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship was carrying a crew from India and Syria and caught fire after the strike.

A Reuters witness in Odesa saw smoke rising from a vessel off the coast, which the news agency confirmed was the Golden Leo.

In a separate attack on Monday, Russia also struck Odesa city, killing three people and injuring three others. Local authorities said infrastructure facilities were targeted, though no additional details were immediately released.

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Rescue operation lasted through the night

Ukraine's Seaports Authority said rescue teams worked through the night after the missile strike. Nine crew members and one maritime pilot were killed, while eight of the ship's 17 crew members were rescued.

According to LSEG shipping data cited by Reuters, the Golden Leo is owned by Mumbai-based Ocean Grace Shipping Ltd. The ship is managed by Friends Shipping Co SA, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Russia did not immediately comment on the attack.

Black Sea becomes a flashpoint again

The latest strike comes as Russia and Ukraine have stepped up attacks across the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, targeting ports, cargo vessels and energy infrastructure that are vital to both countries' economies.

While Ukraine has carried out strikes on Russian oil facilities and tankers, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine's ports and commercial shipping. Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces also struck fuel storage facilities at the port of Odesa overnight.

According to Ukrainian officials, Russian attacks have killed 28 people in the Odesa region so far this month.

Grain exports under fresh pressure

The renewed fighting has raised concerns over global grain supplies. Ukraine and Russia are among the world's largest grain exporters, and the Black Sea remains a crucial shipping route for agricultural exports.

Ukraine, which has accounted for around 6 per cent of global wheat exports and 11 per cent of global corn exports in recent years, has lost roughly one-third of its grain export capacity through Black Sea ports due to repeated Russian missile and drone attacks, according to traders and analysts cited by Reuters.

At the same time, Ukrainian strikes have forced Russia—the world's largest wheat exporter—to limit shipping through the Sea of Azov, a route that handles about a quarter of its grain exports.